ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved its verdict on a petition seeking early local government elections in the federal capital.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the case, with advocate Yawar Gardazi representing the petitioner and Arshad Khan, Director General (Law) of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), appearing before the court.
During the proceedings, Justice Kayani engaged in a detailed exchange with the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) and the ECP’s DG Law.
Justice Kayani remarked that the absence of local government elections had paralyzed the entire system, saying, “Without elected representatives, no property tax can be imposed, and nothing is functioning properly. Court orders regarding local elections have been repeatedly violated.”
Expressing dismay, the judge added, “It is astonishing that those who ordered elections in a single day later suspended their own decision in a division bench. Since 2021, you have been consistently violating the law.”
AAG Usman Ghumman argued that amendments to the law caused the delay in local elections, asserting that legislation and amendments fall under Parliament’s jurisdiction.
Justice Kayani responded, “The current Parliament is busy dealing with the 27th Constitutional Amendment and constitutional interpretations — further amendments seem unlikely at this stage.” He further observed, “Not every wrong act can be defended.
Parliament is supreme and has the power to amend or repeal any law.”
The judge noted that when flawed laws are passed, they eventually have to be rolled back, which takes time.
ECP’s DG Law admitted that complexities in the Local Government Act 2025 amendments had contributed to the delay in holding elections.
Justice Kayani then asked, “So when will you announce the schedule for local elections? If you provide a date, the court can also set a corresponding deadline.”
Commenting on the administrative setup, the court criticized the fact that the CDA chairman and chief commissioner Islamabad are the same person, stating, “The government finds it convenient to let one person hold two offices while ignoring the rest. All powers of elected local representatives have been handed over to the CDA, and no one has safeguarded the local government system.”
Subsequently, the IHC reserved its judgment on the petition seeking the early conduct of local government elections in the federal capital.
